World’s first Compound Semiconductor cluster launches in Westminster

18 November 2015

IQE plc Headquarters, Cardiff, UK

Partnership between industry and academia formally launched

The
vision for a cluster, with the power to create 5,000 new jobs, is based on a joint
venture between IQE plc – the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor
wafers – and Cardiff University. Backed by funding from Welsh Government, the
partnership aims to build a centre of excellence that represents a key
milestone for the development and commercialisation of next generation Compound
Semiconductor (CS) technologies.

Four
significant clusters based around silicon technologies already exist in Europe,
but CSC – based in Cardiff - will be the first centre to build on the exciting
potential of Compound Semiconductors. These are vital components used in many
of today's high-tech applications including communications networks and devices
such as smartphones and tablets.

With
high performance capabilities, coupled with energy efficiency and photonic
properties, CSs are hailed as a key economic growth drivers identified in the
European Commission’s “Horizon 2020” economic growth strategy, aimed at the
reindustrialisation of the EU.

The planned CS cluster has the potential to create up to 5,000 jobs
within the region over the next five years. It would represent a central base
of operations for UK (and wider EU regions) efforts to reclaim high value
technology manufacturing from competitors in East Asia.

The partnership, which will also be launched at Cardiff Castle next week
(26 November), will see Cardiff-based IQE plc, whose technology can be found in
most mobile devices on the world market, working closely with Cardiff
University’s new £40 million Institute of Compound Semiconductors (ICS).

Dr Drew Nelson, Chief Executive of IQE, said: “Much
of the Compound Semiconductor technology used in devices across the world is
developed and manufactured in Wales. But technology evolves at a
rapid pace. One of the big problems in
the UK is that we frequently fail to
take the steps needed to commercialise research and development activities
through innovation and manufacturing.

“This is why we are looking to create the world’s first compound
semiconductor cluster, and having Cardiff University and the UK academic
infrastructure in place creates a very strong basis to enable this cluster to
be formed.”

The CSC is jointly owned and jointly controlled by Cardiff University
and IQE plc. To date, Cardiff University has contributed £12 million in capital
investment to the venture, with IQE committing hardware, buildings,
infrastructure as well as licensing certain intellectual property to the CSC.

The ICS forms part of Cardiff University’s £300m investment in new
research and innovation centres, and its potential is already recognised by the
Welsh and UK governments, who have invested over £29m towards its
creation.

Professor Diana Huffaker, Ser Cymru Chair in Advanced Engineering and
Materials, has been appointed from UCLA in the United States to become Director
of Cardiff University’s ICS.

Professor Huffaker said:“The
Compound Semiconductor Centre is a unique facility. It brings together Cardiff
University research in parallel with industrial scale production from IQE and
future industrial partners. In effect, the partnership builds a bridge from
basic research to commercial technology transfer. It will foster education at
all levels and help create jobs within Cardiff and Wales. The venture allows
IQE to try experimental ideas which they really think will be important, while
Cardiff benefits from IQE’s business direction. CSC and ICS will be open for
business for any interested industrial and academic users."

Collectively, the ICS, the joint venture, and IQE’s existing world class
CS operation in Cardiff establishes the core elements of a CS ecosystem in
Wales to bridge early stage research, product development, prototyping, and
pilot production, through to high volume manufacturing.